Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-09-16
AT HIGH NOON.

There was not q more daring ana acU1Vo
scout in Bazaine's army than Pierre
Danton.
When Pierre volunteered to slip into
Quinquambo, to see what the MeXicans
were doing, it never occurred to him that
there was the slightest danger.
Quinquambo was a little mountain vii
lage, with a small garrison, and Pierre
determined to appear in the role of de-
serter. The son Of a Spanish mother, he
did not look much like q Frenchman, and
spoke the language of the country like a
native
But there was one thing that the scout
had not thought of Col. Campos, then
served on the eastern coast in the early
part of the war If Pierre had known
this fact he would have blown out his
brains rather than play the spy in the vi
cinity Of the terrible Campos.
At sunrise the Frenchman walked bold
ly into the village and gave himself up to
the first sentinel he met.
His story was plausible enough. He
had lost faith in Macmillan and his
cause, and had grown weary of hard fight
ing and scanty rations. Moreover, he
had fallen in love with a black eyed senior
tia, and could no longer bear arms against
Mexico.
The sentinel called corporal, and the
story was repeated. To these simple SOL
diers it seemed that the deserter was tell
ing the truth, and nothing but the truth.
'tAh, that French devil, Bazainel" said
the corporal, che is frightened, is he not?'
'sComrade," replied Pierre, "you have
spoken truly. Bazaine is in despair. His
men are deserving by hundreds. They
have nothing to eat and the usurper is
without money to pay them"
GIN a few weeks they will be driven
into the sea,' said the enthusiastic cor
poral.
''You speak like prophet" answered
the spy.
In the presence of Col. Campos the
Frenchman measured his words. The
veteran listened without showing any in
terest or surprise. His brown, leathery
face never changed its expression, and his
eagle eyes were apparently fixed upon the
ground.
stAnd you would serve the republic?" he
asked, coldly.
"Try me, - was the enthusiastic re-
Spouse.
GLOW am 1 to know that your story is
true?'
'tLet me swear - began Pierre.
'Nol'' shouted the colonel in voice of
thunder.
The officers and soldiers gave a start of
surprise, and for the first time Pierre felt
uneasy.
''Bind him hand and foot!'' was the I'M
expected order.
Despite his protestationS two men car
ried out the colonel's instructions, and
then braced the prisoner in sitting pos
ture against q convenient wall.
ga year ago." said Campos, II cap
tured that fellow near Vera Cruz. shot
off the little finger on his right hand, and
he marked me here on the forehead with
his saber. The villain escaped that night
but another prisoner told me all about
him He is not soldier. He is a spy
He has caused more trouble than any
other man in Bazaines army. Now
Pierre Danton, what have you to say?"
1.-The colonel is mistaken said Pierre
IT never saw him before, and I am nc
spy. My name is Jean Rouville.
''Lookr' exclaimed soldier.
A glance showed that the prisoners
right little finger was missing.
'Only coincidence, muttered Pierre
'Guard him well,' said the colonel
''No court martial is wanted here" and
the grim soldier walked off.
Secnre1v ninioned as he was Pierre saw
that he couId NOT escaDe. His ewes roved
rastlass1v ahout hut there was nothing te
ENCOURAGE him
lsTbe barharians - he erow1ed "The1
will bntcbar mo in co1d blood doub1
whether they will he kind enough to bane
me- That Cannes looks like a fiend anG
tba chances are that he is even now in.
von+ino son,a diaholical torture Well II
is the fortune of war;
Oninouambo did not look very interest
mo to the snv as he sat there propped III
AGAINST the colonel,s beadouarters! There
was q nlaza and a. few scattered ho11ses
a m,1 # eTcent on one side where the1
had been DESTROYED by fire. There were
no citizens The Inhabitants had aban
doned the Town leaving it to the garrison
eThera. are, not more than 800 of the
| pal1owSrasca1s >, rn.,sec the snv. chord
Won1dn,t like tosee some of our cayalr,
come ALONG They would take the place
in the twinkline of an eve"
T11st then two soldiers came a1ono. and
Hftino pierre in their arms, carried him
to the center Of the plaza. The captive al
first thought that his hour had come, hui
+ha ,,n,, 5'rooooded in s111an silence II Tic
him to the mouth Of the solitary cannon
On old fasbioned twelve nonnder nointed
Of The vacant side of the square. They
dashed him with his breast to the muzzle
If the er,,n co securely that # was imnos
sih1a for him To move